Stakeholders from different branches and departments presented reports that reflected dedication and commitment as the key to the organisation’s success.

Sunshine Coast Hospice chairman Terry Harris expressed delight at the turnout before giving the first speaker the podium.

Representing Grahamstown Hospice Board was vice-chair Lynette Marais.

Talking about the activities in which staff and volunteers had participated, Marais said: “It has been a positive year, productive across our various departments, from clinical services, to HR and financial administration, to local and international fundraising.”

She spoke fondly of director Trish Gillies, who does not stop growing in her strong and sensitive leadership of their Hospice.

Marais said Gillies headed up both their clinical team of dedicated and compassionate doctors, nurses and care workers in the provision of high quality holistic palliative care to all, and their vital administrative and fundraising team of staff and volunteers.

“A significant goodbye has been the retirement of our Sunshine Coast founder and doyen of fundraising and patient care, Zelda Elliot who leaves a remarkable legacy of resources gathered,” Marais said.

“It is of great comfort however that in her stead Angela Hibbert has taken up this management position with her in imitable passion and energy,” she said.

She further wholeheartedly thanked their funders like USAID, through the University Research Council.

She also thanked the National Lottery Commission, Haven Hospice in Florida, USA, local primary and high schools, Pick n Pay, Port Alfred Spar, Round Table in Port Alfred, Rotary Clubs in Grahamstown and Kenton-on-Sea, and GBS Mutual Bank whom all have been financial pillars of strength.

“I cannot conclude without reaffirming that we exist for our patients and their families.”

Giving the director’s report, Gillies said Grahamstown and Sunshine Coast Hospice were honoured and privileged to have served 894 patients and their families in the Makana and Ndlambe districts.

“Our teams cared for 350 patients per month, completing a total of 8,200 home visits over the past year.”

Indicating the conditions under which they work, Gillies lamented that Hospice’s work was emotionally draining and therefore thanked her colleagues for their endless support of patients and families.

Presenting the finance report was Janine Peinke, who said during the past year they had partnered with the Department of Health, USAID, the Foundation for Professional Development and Lottery Commission.

She said Hospice’s sources of income were charity shops, fundraising, donors and grants.

“Grahamstown and Sunshine Coast Hospice are very well supported by the communities we serve,” she said.

Hibbert concluded the presentation. She said over the past year they had worked closely with community members, local businesses and service clubs to raise much needed fund in order to provide Hospice care to the communities they serve.

Hibbert added that the feedback from the beneficiaries kept them going. “We are most encouraged by the reports we received from community members of lives that have been touched by our earth angels,” she said.